WEB OF INTRIGUE

The file-sharing application's alliance with BMG does not alter the past for the campaigning rockers...

METALLICA, DR DRE and the remaining members of the RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA intend to continue with their lawsuit against NAPSTER, following the revelation that record company BMG have entered into an alliance with the controversial file-sharing company.

Both Metallica and Dr Dre filed lawsuits against Napster earlier in the year, claiming infringement on their copyright by people downloading their songs from Napster for free.

As reported yesterday (October 31) on NME.COM, music giant BMG and Napster have joined forces to work together on Internet file-sharing technology.

The agreement means that BMG, who were one of the five large music companies suing Napster for copyright infringement, will now withdraw their lawsuit.

However, Metallica and Dr Dre’s lawyer Howard King told US reporters yesterday: “At some point in time, Napster is going to have to pay the price for the hundreds of thousands of infringements that occurred. If Napster goes to a subscription model, where the only music that is available is with the consent of the artists, Metallica and Dr Dre will be happy with that, but that doesn’t mean we forgive and forget the past infringements.”

It also looks like the other members of the RIAA, which includes EMI, Warner Music, Sony and Universal, will not immediately withdraw their lawsuit either.

In a statement, Hilary Rosen, president and CEO of the RIAA said: “Today’s announcement does not bring an end to the court case. There are multiple plaintiffs in addition to BMG…it is important for everyone – Napster included – that the ground rules of Internet music business be established once and for all.”

The new Napster model is expected to involve a membership fee, the proceeds of which are given to copyright holders as a way of payment.